Thioamides and their use as crop protection agents

ABSTRACT

Thioamides of the formula I ##STR1## where A, B, R&#39; are hydrogen, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy or halogen, 
     X is ═CHCH 3  or ═N--OCH 3 , 
     R 1 , R 2  - are hydrogen or alkyl, 
     Y is a group ##STR2## --O--CH 2 , --CH 2  --O--, --S--CH 2  --, --CH 2  --S--, --CH═CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH 2  --O--N═C(R&#39;)-- and 
     R is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl or unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl, 
     and pesticides containing these compounds.

This is a Division, of application Ser. No. 08/336,044, filed on Nov. 4, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,529, which is a Division of application Ser. No. 08/158,390, filed Nov. 29, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,782.

The present invention relates to novel thioamides, methods of preparing them, and methods for combatting pests, especially fungi, insects, nematodes and mites, with these compounds.

It is known that certain thiocarbamates (EP 432,503 and certain phenylacetamides (cf. EP 477,631 and 398,692) have a fungicidal or insecticidal action. However, their action is unsatisfactory.

We have now surprisingly found that novel thioamides of the formula I ##STR3## where A, B, R' are identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or halogen,

X is ═CHCH₃ or ═N--OCH₃,

R¹, R² are hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl,

Y is a group ##STR4## --O--CH₂, --CH₂ --O--, --S--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --S--, --CH₂ --CH₂, --CH=CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH₂ --O--N═C (R')-- and

R is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₁ -C₆ -cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl or unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl, the term "unsubstituted or substituted" denoting, in addition to hydrogen, halogen, cyano, CO₂ (C₁ -C₄ -alkyl), C(O)(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl), nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -haloalkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoximino-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, aryl, aryloxy, benzyloxy, hetaryl, hetaryloxy or C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl and the term "hetaryl" denoting an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic, mono-, di- or trinuclear five-membered or six-membered heterocycle,

have an excellent fungicidal, insecticidal, nematicidal and acaricidal action.

The radicals stated in formula I may for example have the following meanings:

A, B, R' may be hydrogen, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (e.g., methyl), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (e.g., methoxy) or halogen (fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo),

x may be ═CHCH₃ or ═N--OCH₃,

R¹, R² may be hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl)

Y is a group ##STR5## --O--CH₂, --CH₂ --O--, --S--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --S--, --CH₂ -CH₂, --CH═CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH₂ --O--N═C(R')-- and

R may be hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-, isopropyl, n-, iso-, s-,tert.-butyl, trifluoromethyl, cyanomethyl, benzyl, methoxymethyl), unsubstituted or substituted C₁ -C₆ -cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclopropyl), unsubstituted or substituted aryl (e.g., phenyl, 2-methylphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-tert.-butoxyphenyl, naphthyl, 1-methyl-2-naphthyl), unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl (e.g., pyridinyl, 6-Cl-pyridin-2-yl, thiazolyl, 2-benzthiazolyl, furyl, 2-furyl, pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl), the term "unsubstituted or substituted" denoting, in addition to hydrogen, halogen (e..g, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo), cyano, CO₂ (C₁ -C₄ -alkyl) (e.g., CO₂ Me, CO₂ Et), C(O)(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl) (e.g., C(O)CH₃), nitro, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-, isopropyl, n-, i-,s-, tert.-butyl), C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, n-, isopropoxy, n-, i-, s-, tert.-butoxy), C₁ -C₄ -haloalkyl (e.g., chloromethyl, bromomethyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl), C₁ -C₄ -alkoximino-C₁ -C₄ alkyl (e.g., methoximinomethyl, ethoximinomethyl, n-, isopropoximinomethyl, n-, i-, s-, tert.-butoximinomethyl, methoximinoethyl), aryl (e.g., phenyl, 1-, 2-naphthyl), aryloxy (phenoxy, 2-naphthyloxy), benzyloxy, hetaryl (e.g., pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, quinolinyl, furyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzthienyl, benzoxazolyl, pyrryl), hetaryloxy (e.g., 2-pyridinyloxy, 2-quinolinyloxy, 4-pyrimidinyloxy), C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl) and the term "hetaryl" denoting an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic mono-, di- or trinuclear five-membered or six-membered heterocycle (e.g., pyridine, quinoline, pyrimidine, benzthiazole, benzoxazole).

Preferred compounds of the formula I ##STR6## are those in which A, B, are hydrogen,

X is ═N--OMe,

R¹ is hydrogen,

R² is methyl,

and Y, R' and R have the meanings given in claim 1.

The novel compounds of the formula I may, because of the C═C-- or C═N-- double bonds, be obtained as E/Z isomer mixtures. These may be separated into their individual components in conventional manner, e.g., crystallization or chromatography. Both the individual isomeric compounds and mixtures thereof are encompassed by the invention and can be used as pesticides.

The thioamides of the formula I are prepared for example by reacting amides of the formula II in conventional manner (cf. e.g., Houben-Weyl, vol. IX, pp. 764 et seq.) with a sulfurizing agent such as P₄ S₁₀ or Lawesson's reagent ##STR7## The amides II are known or can be prepared by analogy to known methods (cf. EP 477631, 398692, 463488).

The preparation of the compounds is illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 2-methoximino-2- 2'-(o-methylphenoxymethyl)-phenyl!acetic acid-N-methylthioamide (compound 2, Table 1)

5 g (16 mmol) of 2-methoximino-2- 2'-(o-methylphenoxymethyl)-phenyl!acetic acid-N-methylamide (disclosed in EP 477631) and 8.1 g (20 mmol) of Lawesson's reagent are refluxed for 90 minutes in 50 ml of xylene. The solvent is then removed under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed twice on silica gel using mixtures of hexane and methyl tert-butyl ether, and 1.7 g (32%) of the compound was obtained as a yellow oil.

¹ H-NMR (CDCl₃ /TMS): δ=2.25 (CH₃); 3.21 (d, NHCH₃), 3.95 (OCH₃); 4.97 (CH₂); 6.79-7.55 (aryl, 8H); 8.57 (NH).

The compounds listed in the tables below may be obtained analogously:

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR8##                                                                                                         Phys. data m. p.  °C.!               No.                                                                               Y          R.sup.1                                                                          R.sup.2                                                                          R                IR  cm.sup.-1 ! H-NMR                       __________________________________________________________________________                                         ppm!                                       1  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       2  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl      3360, 2940, 1595,                                                              1520, 1494, 1241,                                                              1228, 1122, 1052,                                                              1025, 929, 752                              3  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-Me-phenyl                                                  4  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-Me-phenyl                                                  5  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  6  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-Cl-phenyl                                                  7  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-Cl-phenyl                                                  8  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-F-phenyl                                                   9  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-F-phenyl                                                   10 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-F-phenyl                                                   11 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Br-phenyl                                                  12 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-Br-phenyl                                                  13 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-Br-phenyl                                                  14 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          15 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          16 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          17 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           18 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           19 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           20 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         21 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         22 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         23 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,3-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         24 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,4-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         25 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                                                            3360, 2935, 1583,                                                              1519, 1509, 1458,                                                              1358, 1262, 1154,                                                              1130, 1026                                  26 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,6-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         27 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3,4-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         28 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         29 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,3-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         30 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,4-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         31 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         32 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,6-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         33 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3,4-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         34 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         35 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Cl, 4-Me-phenyl                                            36 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Cl, 5-Me-phenyl                                            37 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me, 4-Cl-phenyl                                            38 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me, 5-Cl-phenyl                                            39 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-pyridyl                                                    40 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-pyridyl                                                    41 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-pyridyl                                                    42 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 6-Cl-2-pyridyl                                               43 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 6-OCH.sub.3 -2-pyridyl                                       44 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 6-Me-2-pyridyl                                               45 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 5-CF.sub.3 -2-pyridyl                                        46 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-quinolyl                                                   47 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-Me-2-quinolyl                                              48 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 8-Me-2-quinolyl                                              49 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-pyrimidinyl                                                50 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-CF.sub.3 -2-pyrimidinyl                                    51 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H benzothiazol-2-yl                                            52 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 5-Cl-benzothiazol-2-yl                                       53 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 6-Cl-benzothiazol-2-yl                                       54 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-4-methoximinomethyl-phenyl                                                                 2.18; 2.27 (CH.sub.3);                                                         3.24 (d, NHCH.sub.3)                                                           3.96; 3.97 (OCH.sub.3);                                                        4.98 (CH.sub.2); 6.79-                                                         7.51 (Aryl, 7H);                                                               8.61 ppm (NH).                              55 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-5-methoximinomethyl-phenyl                              56 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -4-methoximinomethyl-phenyl                     57 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-4-ethoximinomethyl-phenyl                               58 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-5-ethoximinomethyl-phenyl                               59 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -4-ethoximinomethyl-phenyl                      60 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-4-n-butoximinomethyl-phenyl                             61 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -4-n-butoximinomethyl-phenyl                    62 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-4-allyloximinomethyl-phenyl                             63 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               R 2,5-Me.sub.2 -4-Allyloximinomethyl-phenyl                    64 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 1-naphthyl                                                   65 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-naphthyl                                                   66 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 1-methyl-2-naphthyl                                          67 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H methyl                                                       68 OCH.sub.2  Me                                                                               H H                                                            69 OCH.sub.2  Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       70 OCH.sub.2  Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  71 OCH.sub.2  Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  72 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H Me                                                           73 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       74 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  75 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               R 2,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         76 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 2-pyridyl                                                    77 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 6-Cl-2-pyridyl                                               78 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H benzothiazol-2-yl                                            79 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 5-Cl-benzothiazol-2-yl                                       80 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 6-Cl-benzothiazol-2-yl                                       81 O          Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       82 O          Me                                                                               H 2-naphthyl                                                   83 O          Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  84 O          Me                                                                               H 3-Me-phenyl                                                  85 O          Me                                                                               H 4-Me-phenyl                                                  86 O          Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  87 O          Me                                                                               H 3-Cl-phenyl                                                  88 O          Me                                                                               H 4-Cl-phenyl                                                  89 O          Me                                                                               H 3-phenoxy-phenyl                                             90 O          Me                                                                               H 6-(2-CN-phenoxy)-pyrimidin-4-yl                              91 O          Me                                                                               H 2-pyridyl                                                    92 C C        Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       93 C C        Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  94 C C        Me                                                                               H 3-Me-phenyl                                                  95 C C        Me                                                                               H 4-Me-phenyl                                                  96 C C        Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  97 C C        Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         98                                                                                 ##STR9##  Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       99                                                                                 ##STR10## Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  100                                                                                ##STR11## Me                                                                               H 3-Me-phenyl                                                  101                                                                                ##STR12## Me                                                                               H 4-Me-phenyl                                                  102                                                                                ##STR13## Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  103                                                                                ##STR14## Me                                                                               H 3-Cl-phenyl                                                  104                                                                                ##STR15## Me                                                                               H 4-Cl-phenyl                                                  104                                                                                ##STR16## Me                                                                               H 2-F-phenyl                                                   105                                                                                ##STR17## Me                                                                               H 3-F-phenyl                                                   106                                                                                ##STR18## Me                                                                               H 4-F-phenyl                                                   107                                                                                ##STR19## Me                                                                               H 2-Br-phenyl                                                  108                                                                                ##STR20## Me                                                                               H 3-Br-phenyl                                                  109                                                                                ##STR21## Me                                                                               H 4-Br-phenyl                                                  110                                                                                ##STR22## Me                                                                               H 2-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           111                                                                                ##STR23## Me                                                                               H 3-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           112                                                                                ##STR24## Me                                                                               H 4-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           113                                                                                ##STR25## Me                                                                               H 2-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          114                                                                                ##STR26## Me                                                                               H 3-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          115                                                                                ##STR27## Me                                                                               H 4-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          116                                                                                ##STR28## Me                                                                               H 2-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         117                                                                                ##STR29## Me                                                                               H 3-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         118                                                                                ##STR30## Me                                                                               H 4-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         119                                                                                ##STR31## Me                                                                               H 2,3-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         120                                                                                ##STR32## Me                                                                               H 2,4-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         121                                                                                ##STR33## Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         122                                                                                ##STR34## Me                                                                               H 2,6-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         123                                                                                ##STR35## Me                                                                               H 3,4-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         124                                                                                ##STR36## Me                                                                               H 3,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         125                                                                                ##STR37## Me                                                                               H 2,3-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         126                                                                                ##STR38## Me                                                                               H 2,4-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         127                                                                                ##STR39## Me                                                                               H 2,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         128                                                                                ##STR40## Me                                                                               H 2,6-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         129                                                                                ##STR41## Me                                                                               H 3,4-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         130                                                                                ##STR42## Me                                                                               H 3,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                                                            3360, 1538, 1556, 1518, 1409, 1358,                                            1304, 102, 856, 834, 800 cm.sup.-1.         131                                                                                ##STR43## Me                                                                               H 2-Cl, 4-Me-phenyl                                            132                                                                                ##STR44## Me                                                                               H 2-Cl, 5-Me-phenyl                                            133                                                                                ##STR45## Me                                                                               H 2-Me, 4-Cl-phenyl                                            134                                                                                ##STR46## Me                                                                               H 2-Me, 5-Cl-phenyl                                            135                                                                                ##STR47## Me                                                                               H 2-pyridyl                                                    136                                                                                ##STR48## Me                                                                               H 2-naphthyl                                                   137                                                                                ##STR49## Me                                                                               H 1-Me-2-naphthyl                                              138                                                                                ##STR50## Me                                                                               H 2-furyl                                                      139                                                                               CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               Me                                                                               phenyl                                                       140                                                                               CH.sub.2 O Et                                                                               H phenyl                                                       141                                                                               CH.sub.2 O Et                                                                               Et                                                                               phenyl                                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR51##                                                                                                        Phys. data m. p.  °C.!               No.                                                                               Y          R.sup.1                                                                          R.sup.2                                                                          R                IR  cm.sup.-1 ! H-NMR                       __________________________________________________________________________                                         ppm!                                       1  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       2  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  3  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-Me-phenyl                                                  4  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-Me-phenyl                                                  5  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  6  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-Cl-phenyl                                                  7  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-Cl-phenyl                                                  8  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-F-phenyl                                                   9  CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-F-phenyl                                                   10 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-F-phenyl                                                   11 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Br-phenyl                                                  12 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-Br-phenyl                                                  13 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-Br-phenyl                                                  14 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          15 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          16 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          17 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           18 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           19 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           20 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         21 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         22 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         23 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,3-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         24 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,4-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         25 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         26 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,6-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         27 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3,4-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         28 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         29 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,3-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         30 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,4-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         31 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         32 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,6-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         33 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3,4-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         34 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         35 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Cl, 4-Me-phenyl                                            36 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Cl, 5-Me-phenyl                                            37 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me, 4-Cl-phenyl                                            38 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me, 5-Cl-phenyl                                            39 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-pyridyl                                                    40 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-pyridyl                                                    41 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-pyridyl                                                    42 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 6-Cl-2-pyridyl                                               43 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 6-OCH.sub.3 -2-pyridyl                                       44 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 6-Me-2-pyridyl                                               45 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 5-CF.sub.3 -2-pyridyl                                        46 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-quinolyl                                                   47 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 3-Me-2-quinolyl                                              48 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 8-Me-2-quinolyl                                              49 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-pyrimidinyl                                                50 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 4-CF.sub.3 -2-pyrimidinyl                                    51 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H benzothiazol-2-yl                                            52 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 5-Cl-benzothiazol-2-yl                                       53 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 6-Cl-benzothiazol-2-yl                                       54 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-4-methoximinomethyl-phenyl                              55 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-5-methoximinomethyl-phenyl                              56 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -4-methoximinomethyl-phenyl                     57 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-4-ethoximinomethyl-phenyl                               58 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-5-ethoximinomethyl-phenyl                               59 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -4-ethoximinomethyl-phenyl                      60 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-4-n-butoximinomethyl-phenyl                             61 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -4-n-butoximinomethyl-phenyl                    62 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-Me-4-allyloximinomethyl-phenyl                             63 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -4-allyloximinomethyl-phenyl                    64 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 1-naphthyl                                                   65 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 2-naphthyl                                                   66 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H 1-methyl-2-naphthyl                                          67 CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               H methyl                                                       68 OCH.sub.2  Me                                                                               H H                                                            69 OCH.sub.2  Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       70 OCH.sub.2  Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  71 OCH.sub.2  Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  72 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H Me                                                           73 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       74 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  75 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 2,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         76 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 2-pyridyl                                                    77 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 6-Cl-2-pyridyl                                               78 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H benzothiazol-2-yl                                            79 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 5-Cl-benzothiazol-2-yl                                       80 CH.sub.2 S Me                                                                               H 6-Cl-benzothiazol-2-yl                                       81 O          Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       82 O          Me                                                                               H 2-naphthyl                                                   83 O          Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  84 O          Me                                                                               H 3-Me-phenyl                                                  85 O          Me                                                                               H 4-Me-phenyl                                                  86 O          He                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  87 O          Me                                                                               H 3-Cl-phenyl                                                  88 O          Me                                                                               H 4-Cl-phenyl                                                  89 O          Me                                                                               H 3-phenoxy-phenyl                                             90 O          Me                                                                               H 6-(2-CN-phenoxy)-pyrimidin-4-yl                              91 O          Me                                                                               H 2-pyridyl                                                    92 C C        Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       93 C C        Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  94 C C        Me                                                                               H 3-Me-phenyl                                                  95 C C        Me                                                                               H 4-Me-phenyl                                                  96 C C        Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  97 C C        Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         98                                                                                 ##STR52## Me                                                                               H phenyl                                                       99                                                                                 ##STR53## Me                                                                               H 2-Me-phenyl                                                  100                                                                                ##STR54## Me                                                                               H 3-Me-phenyl                                                  101                                                                                ##STR55## Me                                                                               H 4-Me-phenyl                                                  102                                                                                ##STR56## Me                                                                               H 2-Cl-phenyl                                                  103                                                                                ##STR57## Me                                                                               H 3-Cl-phenyl                                                  104                                                                                ##STR58## Me                                                                               H 4-Cl-phenyl                                                  104                                                                                ##STR59## Me                                                                               H 2-F-phenyl                                                   105                                                                                ##STR60## Me                                                                               H 3-F-phenyl                                                   106                                                                                ##STR61## Me                                                                               H 4-F-phenyl                                                   107                                                                                ##STR62## Me                                                                               H 2-Br-phenyl                                                  108                                                                                ##STR63## Me                                                                               H 3-Br-phenyl                                                  109                                                                                ##STR64## Me                                                                               H 4-Br-phenyl                                                  110                                                                                ##STR65## Me                                                                               H 2-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           111                                                                                ##STR66## Me                                                                               H 3-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           112                                                                                ##STR67## Me                                                                               H 4-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                           113                                                                                ##STR68## Me                                                                               H 2-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          114                                                                                ##STR69## Me                                                                               H 3-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          115                                                                                ##STR70## Me                                                                               H 4-OCH.sub.3 -phenyl                                          116                                                                                ##STR71## Me                                                                               H 2-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         117                                                                                ##STR72## Me                                                                               H 3-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         118                                                                                ##STR73## Me                                                                               H 4-CO.sub.2 Me-phenyl                                         119                                                                                ##STR74## Me                                                                               H 2,3-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         120                                                                                ##STR75## Me                                                                               H 2,4-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         121                                                                                ##STR76## Me                                                                               H 2,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         122                                                                                ##STR77## Me                                                                               H 2,6-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         123                                                                                ##STR78## Me                                                                               H 3,4-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         124                                                                                ##STR79## Me                                                                               H 3,5-Me.sub.2 -phenyl                                         125                                                                                ##STR80## Me                                                                               H 2,3-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         126                                                                                ##STR81## Me                                                                               H 2,4-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         127                                                                                ##STR82## Me                                                                               H 2,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         128                                                                                ##STR83## Me                                                                               H 2,6-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         129                                                                                ##STR84## Me                                                                               H 3,4-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         130                                                                                ##STR85## Me                                                                               H 3,5-Cl.sub.2 -phenyl                                         131                                                                                ##STR86## Me                                                                               H 2-Cl, 4-Me-phenyl                                            132                                                                                ##STR87## Me                                                                               H 2-Cl, 5-Me-phenyl                                            133                                                                                ##STR88## Me                                                                               H 2-Me, 4-Cl-phenyl                                            134                                                                                ##STR89## Me                                                                               H 2-Me, 5-Cl-phenyl                                            135                                                                                ##STR90## Me                                                                               H 2-pyridyl                                                    136                                                                                ##STR91## Me                                                                               H 2-naphthyl                                                   137                                                                                ##STR92## Me                                                                               H 1-Me-2-naphthyl                                              138                                                                                ##STR93## Me                                                                               H 2-furyl                                                      139                                                                               CH.sub.2 O Me                                                                               Me                                                                               phenyl                                                       140                                                                               CH.sub.2 O Et                                                                               H phenyl                                                       141                                                                               CH.sub.2 O Et                                                                               Et                                                                               phenyl                                                       __________________________________________________________________________

The novel compounds are suitable as fungicides, insecticides and nematocides.

The active ingredients according to the invention, or agents containing them, may be applied for instance in the form of directly sprayable solutions, powders, suspensions (including high-percentage aqueous, oily or other suspensions), dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dusts, broadcasting agents, or granules by spraying, atomizing, dusting, broadcasting or watering. The forms of application depend entirely on the purpose for which the agents are being used, but they must ensure as fine a distribution of the active ingredients according to the invention as possible.

Normally, the plants are sprayed or dusted with the active ingedients or the seeds of the plants are treated with the active ingredients.

The formulations are produced in known manner, for example by extending the active ingredient with solvents and/or carriers, with or without the use of emulsifiers and dispersants; if water is used as solvent, it is also possible to employ other organic solvents as auxiliary solvents. Suitable auxiliaries for this purpose are solvents such as aromatics (e.g., xylene), chlorinated aromatics (e.g., chlorobenzenes), paraffins (e.g., crude oil fractions), alcohols (e.g., methanol, butanol), ketones (e.g., cyclohexanone), amaines (e.g., ethanolamine, dimethylformamide), and water; carriers such as ground natural minerals (e.g., kaolins, aluminas, talc and chalk) and ground synthetic minerals (e.g., highly disperse silica and silicates); emulsifiers such as nonionic and anionic emulsifiers (e.g., polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, alkyl sulfonates and aryl sulfonates); and dispersants such as lignin-sulfite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

Examples of surfactants are: alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, e.g., ligninsulfonic acid, phenolsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid and dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, and of fatty acids, alkyl and alkylaryl sulfonates, and alkyl, lauryl ether and fatty alcohol sulfates, and salts of sulfated hexadecanols, heptadecanols, and octadecanols, salts of fatty alcohol glycol ethers, condensation products of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensation products of naphthalene or naphthalenesulfonic acids with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ethers, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, ethoxylated octylphenol and ethoxylated nonylphenol, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ethers, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl alcohol, fatty alcohol ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetal, sorbitol esters, lignin-sulfite waste liquors and methyl cellulose.

Powders, dusts and broadcasting agents may be prepared by mixing or grinding the active ingredients with a solid carrier.

Granules, e.g., coated, impregnated or homogeneous granules, may be prepared by bonding the active ingredients to solid carriers. Examples of solid carriers are mineral earths such as silicic acids, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attapulgus clay, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground plastics, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, and ureas, and vegetable products such as grain meals, bark meal, wood meal, and nutshell meal, cellulosic powders, etc.

Examples of such formulations are given below.

I. A solution of 90 parts by weight of compound 2 from Table 1 and 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-a-pyrrolidone, which is suitable for application in the form of very fine drops.

II. A mixture of 20 parts by weight of compound 25 from Table 1, 80 parts by weight of xylene, 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 8 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of oleic acid-N-monoethanolamide, 5 parts by weight of the calcium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and 5 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil. By finely dispersing the mixture in water, a dispersion is obtained.

III. An aqueous dispersion of 20 parts by weight of compound 54 from Table-1, 40 parts by weight of cyclohexanone, 30 parts by weight of isobutanol, 20 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil.

IV. An aqueous dispersion of 20 parts by weight of compound 130 from Table 1, 25 parts by weight of cyclohexanol, 65 parts by weight of a mineral oil fraction having a boiling point between 210° and 280° C., and 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil.

V. A hammer-milled mixture of 80 parts by weight of compound 2 from Table 1, 3 parts by weight of the sodium salt of diisobutylnaphthalene-α-sulfonic acid, 10 parts by weight of the sodium salt of a lignin-sulfonic acid obtained from a sulfite waste liquor, and 7 parts by weight of powdered silica gel. By finely dispersing the mixture in water, a spray liquor is obtained.

VI. An intimate mixture of 3 parts by weight of compound 25 from Table 1 and 97 parts by weight of particulate kaolin. The dust contains 3 wt % of the active ingredient.

VII. An intimate mixture of 30 parts by weight of compound 54 from Table 1, 92 parts by weight of powdered silica gel and 8 parts by weight of paraffin oil sprayed onto the surface of this silica gel. This formulation of the active ingredient exhibits good adherence.

VIII. A stable aqueous dispersion of 40 parts by weight of compound 130 from Table 1, 10 parts of the sodium salt of a phenolsulfonic acid-urea-formaldehyde condensate, 2 parts of silica gel and 48 parts of water, which dispersion can be further diluted.

IX. A stable oily dispersion of 20 parts by weight of compound 2 from Table 1, 2 parts by weight of the calcium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, 8 parts by weight of a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, 2 parts by weight of the sodium salt of a phenolsulfonic acid-urea-formaldehyde condensate and 68 parts by weight of a paraffinic mineral oil.

The novel compounds are extremely effective on a broad spectrum of phytopathogenic fungi, in particular those from the class consisting of the Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes. Some of them have systemic mobility and action after application to the soil and foliage.

The fungicidal compounds are of particular interest for controlling a large number of fungi in various crops or their seeds, especially wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, Indian corn, lawns, cotton, soybeans, coffee, sugar cane, grapevines, fruit and ornamentals, and in vegetables such as cucumbers, beans and cucurbits.

The compounds are applied by treating the seeds, plants, materials or soil to be protected against fungus attack with a fungicidally effective amount of the active ingredients.

The compounds may be applied before or after infection of the materials, plants or seeds by the fungi.

The compounds I are particularly useful for controlling the following plant diseases:

Erysiphe graminis in cereals,

Erysiphe cichoracearum and Sphaerotheca fuliginea in cucurbits,

Podosphaera leucotricha in apples,

Uncinula necator in vines,

Puccinia species in cereals,

Rhizoctonia solani in cotton,

Ustilago species in cereals and sugar cane,

Venturia inaequalis (scab) in apples,

Helminthosporium species in cereals,

Septoria nodorum in wheat,

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) in strawberries and grapes,

Cercospora arachidicola in groundnuts,

Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides in wheat and barley,

Pyricularia oryzae in rice,

Phytophthora infestans in potatoes and tomatoes,

Fusarium and Verticillium species in various plants,

Plasmopara viticola in grapes,

Alternaria species in fruit and vegetables.

The novel compounds may also be used for protecting materials (timber), for example against Paecilomyces variotii.

The fungicidal agents generally contain from 0.1 to 95, and preferably from 0.5 to 90, wt % of active ingredient.

The application rates depend on the type of effect desired, but are generally from 0.02 to 3 kg of active ingredient per hectare.

When the active ingredients are used for treating seed, application rates of from 0,001 to 50, and preferably from 0.01 to 10, g per kg of seed are generally required.

When the agents according to the invention are used as fungicides, they may be employed together with other active ingredients, e.g., herbicides, insecticides, growth regulators, other fungicides and fertilizers.

Use Example 1

Action on Plasmopara viticola

Leaves of potted vines of the Muller-Thurgau variety were sprayed with aqueous suspensions containing (dry basis) 80% of active ingredient and 20% of emulsifier. To assess the duration of action, the plants were set up, after the sprayed-on layer had dried, for 8 days in the greenhouse. Then the leaves were infected with a zoospore suspension of Plasmopara viticola. The plahts were first placed for 48 hours in a water vapor-saturated chamber at 24° C. and then in a greenhouse for 5 days at from 20° to 30° C. To accelerate and intensify the sporangiophore discharge, the plants were then again placed in the moist chamber for 16 hours. The extent of fungus attack was then assessed on the undersides of the leaves.

The results of the experiment show that compounds nos. 2, 25 and 54 from Table I, when applied as spray liquors containing 63 ppm of active ingredient, have a very good fungicidal action (0% attack).

Use Example 2

Action on Botrytis cinerea in paprika

Slices of green paprika pods were sprayed to runoff with aqueous formulations containing (dry basis) 80% of active ingredient and 20% of emulsifier. Two hours after the sprayed-on layer had dried, the slices were inoculated with a spore suspension of Botrytis cinerea which contained 1.7×10⁶ spores per ml of a 2% strength biomalt solution. The inoculated slices were then incubated for 4 days in moist chambers. Botrytis spread on the slices was then assessed visually.

The results show that compounds nos. 2, 25 and 54 from Table I, when applied as spray liquors containing 500 ppm of active ingredient, have a very good fungicidal action (5% attack). 

We claim:
 1. A thioamide of the formula I, ##STR94## where A, B, R' are identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C_(1-C) ₄ -alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy or halogen,X is ═CHCH₃, R¹ and R² are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ -alkyl, Y is --O--, --S--, ##STR95## or --CH₂ --O--, --S--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --S, --CH₂ --CH₂, --CH═CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH₂ --O--N═C(R'); and R is an unsubstituted or substituted pyridyl.
 2. Thioamide derivatives of the formula I as claimed in claim 1, where R¹ is hydrogen and R² is methyl, A and B are hydrogen and Y and R have the meanings given in claim
 1. 3. A thioamide of the formula I, ##STR96## where A, B, R' are identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C_(1-C) 4-alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy or halogen,X is ═N--OCH₃, R¹ and R² are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ -alkyl, Y is --CH₂ --O--N═C(R'); and R is an unsubstituted or substituted pyridyl.
 4. Thioamide derivatives of the formula I as claimed in claim 3, where X is ═N--OCH₃, R¹ is hydrogen and R² is methyl, A and B are hydrogen.
 5. A composition comprising an inert carrier and a fungicidally or pesticidally effective amount of a thioamide derivative of the formula (I), ##STR97## where A, B, R' are identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C_(1-C) 4-alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy or halogen,X is ═CHCH₃, R¹ and R² are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ -alkyl, Y is --O--, --S--, ##STR98## or --CH₂ --O--, --S--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --S, --CH₂ --CH₂, --CH═CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH₂ --O--N═C(R'); and R is an unsubstituted or substituted pyridyl.
 6. A composition comprising an inert carrier and a fungicidally or pesticidally effective amount of a thioamide derivative of the formula (I), ##STR99## where A, B, R' are identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C_(1-C) 4-alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy or halogen,X is ═N--OCH₃, R¹ and R² are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ -alkyl, Y is --CH₂ --O--N═C(R'); and R is an unsubstituted or substituted pyridyl.
 7. A method of combatting pests, wherein an insecticidally, nematicidally and/or acaricidally effective amount of a thioamide of the formula I ##STR100## where A, B, R' ere identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C_(1-C) 4-alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or halogen, is ═CHCH₃,R¹, R² are hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, Y is a group --O--, --S--, ##STR101## or --CH₂ --O--, --S--CH₂ ═, --OH₂ --S, --CH₂ --CH₂, --CH═CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH₂ --O--N═C(R'); and R is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₁ -C₆ -cyoloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl the term "unsubstituted or substituted" denoting, in addition to hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C(O) (C₁ -C₄ -alkyl), nitro, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -haloalkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoximino-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, aryl, aryloxy, benzyloxy, C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl, pyridyl, benzothiazolyl, quinolyl or pyrimidinyl.
 8. A method of combatting fungi, comprising applying onto a material, plant, seed or soil in need thereof a fungicidally effective amount of a thioamide derivative of the formula (I), ##STR102## where A, B, R' are identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C_(1-C) 4-alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy or halogen,X is ═CHCH₃, R¹ and R² are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ -alkyl, Y is --O--, --S--, ##STR103## or --CH₂ --O--, --S--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --S, --CH₂ --CH₂ ; --CH═CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH₂ --O--N═C(R'); and R is an unsubstituted or substituted pyridyl is allowed to act on insects, nematodes or mites, or on their habitat.
 9. A method of combatting pests, wherein an insecticidally, nematicidally and/or acaricidally effective amount of a thioamide of the formula I ##STR104## where A, B, R' are identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C_(1-C) 4-alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or halogen,X is ═N--OCH₃, R¹, R² are hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, Y is --CH₂ --O--N═C(R'); and R is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C₁ -C₁₀ -alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₁ -C₆ -cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, the term "unsubstituted or substituted" denoting, in addition to hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C(O)(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl), nitro, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -haloalkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoximino-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, aryl, aryloxy, benzyloxy, C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl, pryidyl, benzothiazolyl, quinolyl or pyrimidinyl.
 10. A method of combatting fungi, comprising applying onto a material, plant, seed or soil in need thereof a fungicidally effective amount of a thioamide derivative of the formula (I), ##STR105## where A, B, R' are identical or different and each is hydrogen, cyano, C_(1-C) 4-alkyl, C₁₋₄ -alkoxy or halogen,X is ═N--OCH₃, R¹ and R² are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ -alkyl, Y is --CH₂ --O--N═C(R'); and R is an unsubstituted or substituted pyridyl is allowed to act on insects, nematodes or mites, or on their habitat. 